(This is a short story I wrote for my Larping friends. It has their characters in it and it tells of how that world became the world we live in today. Most of it probably wont make sense but I hope you guys like it...)
The city was oddly quiet. Usually, people bustled back and forth from night club to night club looking for a good time, taxis drove those too drunk or too tired to stay out back home while just barely staying within the traffic laws, and the dark alleys always contained the lowest of criminals the city had to offer. But not tonight. Tonight everything was still as if the city knew what was about to happen within its streets. Dark storm clouds growled angrily above, ready to unleash a hellish storm upon the sleeping city and only the bravest or most foolish stay outside to face it.
'All clear on my end.'
'Clear over here. Are you sure you saw them coming here?'
'Of course I'm sure! I was checking the news on my phone and saw -'
'Stay sharp, everyone.'
A man walked down the empty street, oblivious and uncaring if any car decided to try and run him over. He walked with a purpose, light on his feet and ready to spring into action at any moment. A couple that had decided to enjoy each other’s company against the walls of a local bar stared at him as he passed. It wasn't how he was dressed for he wore a simple, fitting green t-shirt, rough brown slacks and combat boots. No, the couple was staring at the sword at his side and large coffin shaped shield that was strapped to his left arm. The man's eyes locked onto them, causing the couple to disjoint from each other and back away. His eyes glowed, literally glowed in the dark, brilliant silver. The man sighed and resumed his search. The world didn't always look like this. It wasn't filled with loud, cramped cities, steel wagons that required no horses, or insane flying contraptions. The land was much richer...more alive back then. But that was before-
The clouds above roared, turning night into day as lightning crackled. Underneath the growling thunder, however, could be heard another roar. This one more animal, fiercer. The man looked up as lightning crashed again, illuminating the shape of what looked to be five very large birds. The man knew better though. The creatures from the past hadn't quietly vanished as people believed. No, they still roamed, and they still hunted. The creatures circled the city once before, with another loud roar, they descended into the streets. Two barreled straight towards the couple, who were now marveling at these exotic creatures.
'Contact! We have two...correction three coming down right on top of us.' A female voice drifted through his head, 'Li Mei and I can handle these.'
'Are you sure about that? I've got two here.' The man thought calmly, projecting his thoughts to the others. The creatures drew closer and now they could be seen for what they really were. They were large lizards, much like the dragons people would see on those...video whatever they were called. Only the man knew these were not dragons, no. They were a smaller cousin, actually. The lizards had two strong back legs and where their front legs would be were instead enormous leathery wings, which were tucked against the bodies as the creatures dived.
'Please. Wyverns aren't even a problem for Maylin and me. Can you handle two?' A different female spoke this time. The man was going to reply when the woman screamed loudly; clutching the man she was with for safety.
The man cursed to himself, 'I've got two humans to take care of. Get here when you can,' he thought rapidly as, with a smooth and easy motion, he drew the sword at his side and raced to protect the couple, "Get further in the alley!" The couple quickly complied, "What are those things?"
The man smiled and chuckled lightly as he took up his age old stance in front of the alleyway, "Um...Well...They're called Wyverns...Just get her to safety."
His pulse raced and time seemed to slow as the wyverns landed in the street and the rain started to fall. The creatures were too large to get into the alley and they had this strange silver eyed man to deal with if they wanted to get their prey. The couple fled, not bothering to wish the man luck or even stay and see. They just ran from the creatures that only existed in fantasy tales and nightmares. The man smiled as the wyverns growled in frustration. Good, he wanted their full attention. Rain soaked the streets and everything it touched as the creatures and warrior stared each other down, waiting for the other to strike.
The attack happened quickly. Almost too quick for a normal human to perceive. The wyverns split and attacked from the left and the right, hoping to flank the man. The right lashed out with its tail, which was tipped with a large, poisonous, barb, while the left reached out to snap up its meal. The man dived forward, avoiding the tail and bite, and rolled to his feet just as the left lashed out with its own tail. The barb bounced dangerously off his shield, not even leaving a scratch on the wooden surface. As the right spun to continue its assault, the man lashed out with his sword and sliced the creature along its nose. Thunder rolled and lightning flashed as the creature reared back and roared in pain. With another roar the wyverns assaulted the man with renewed vigor.
It was a brutal battle, but one that was already won. No matter how the wyverns attacked, the man blocked and struck back as fast as lightning. He was a blur of motion. Dodge, slash, block, parry, stab, slash. And the man was enjoying himself. A smile spread across his lips as he fought, enjoying the physical challenge of it all. Energy coursed through him, keeping him light on his feet as he leapt back and forth keeping the large lizards at bay. One of the Wyverns finally died after minutes of fighting. It roared and tried to tackle the man into a building. The man stepped to the side and, with a decisive laugh, brought his sword down onto its head and completely removed it. The body twitched once, twice, and then fell still. The other creature howled and dove over the body, knocking the man down. He narrowly avoided the barbed tail as it stabbed downward again and again, his shield keeping the razor sharp teeth away from his face. The man growled and decided to end this game, thrusting his sword up into the creature’s maw, ending its life. A normal man would be pinned under the weight of such a large creature, but he wasn't a normal man. He pushed against the creature with his legs and easily lifted it off of him.
And all was quiet again in the sleeping city.
The dead bodies slowly began to dissolve. Not decay as creatures from this age do. But it slowly dissolved as if it were made of sand, crumbling upon itself until nothing was left. The man breathed heavily, his sword dripping with blood. Blood that hissed and ate at the road wherever it landed, but left the sword untouched. He flicked the blood clean and sighed. Another thing that was forgotten when the world changed.
'Everything is clear here. How are you, Shiren?'
Shiren frowned, lost in thought as he sheathed his blade, 'I'm fine, Maylin. I'm going to get a drink...I'll reach you when I start to head back...'
'Alright...Stay safe.'
'I always do.'
He looked about the street and was disgusted with how everything had changed. It didn't matter now though, the...Town Guard...or Police or whatever they were called now would be here soon and he had to leave. They weren't meant to be seen, just keep the creatures of old away from these new cities and their weak inhabitants. Shiren shrugged and, in an instant, disappeared as reality itself seemed to warp and wrap around him.
He was now in front of a bar in a completely different city. This one was full of people living out their lives. People now relied on their insane contraptions to travel; they had forgotten how things used to be. Shiren walked inside and found a table in the corner. He enjoyed bars and pubs. They reminded him of the taverns back then. A voice caught his ear and Shiren looked to find a curly haired man sitting with two lovely women. The man's hair was tucked under a jester cap and his tattoos stuck out in the dim bar light. He had tattoos on his arms and neck. His left arm was covered in vines with a white flower on the back of his hand, his right was of the night sky though it had 3 silver claw marks on his wrist and ruby red lips on his neck. Shiren laughed to himself and ordered a drink, keeping his glowing eyes covered with a brown fedora tipped low. Puck seemed to enjoy the new times and was intent on living it to the fullest. A small man was watching Puck from across the bar. He held a pen and pad of paper in his hands and watched the Mystic with intensity. He was in for a surprise.
Shiren pulled a strange series of necklaces out from under his t-shirt, which was slashed up in a few places. First, and foremost, was a small chain with a series of rings dangling from it along with a thin metal bangle. The next was an amber heart with flower petals inside. After that was a beaded necklace, a string of jade, turquoise, wood and bone. And last was a small, handmade necklace with a pendant on it. 'Live Life to the Fullest' was all it said. Shiren smiled and tried to stop tears from coming to his eyes. Everything he knew and loved was gone now. Sasha had gone with Chev to Fae...Aidyn, Rynn, and Sita were off trying to stop the further murder of Mother Tyrra...Moriken was mostly gone...killed or left after the world started to change...He rarely saw those that were still alive or ascended...
His drink came and he accepted it with a smile, pulling out a few gold coins to hand the lady. She stared at him until Shiren realized his error and muttered, "Tyrra damn it..." pulling out the new form of currency that was preferred. The barmaid left him alone with his thoughts and his drink.
Everyone wanted to change with the times. Shiren didn't. The world was too different for him. He didn't understand guns and cars and all these other insane things that the humans of today created. Things that used to only exist in Beronis. He was a fighter...he wanted and liked it back when everything was simple. He knew swords and knives and axes...not these new things people called weapons. He didn't understand "the internet" or "texting.” It was more confusing to him than magic. Shiren sighed as he held his necklaces, the last pieces keeping him tied to those he cares about, and drank deeply.
The world used to be much different, go by a different name. Humans were far more impressive than what they were today and other, more fantastic, races roamed the land. Magic existed and being attacked by fantastic creatures was the normal. You had to be quick and intelligent to survive. That was until the war though...
Until the world he knew, loved, and died for fell apart at the seams.
Part One
The city was oddly quiet. Usually, people bustled back and forth from night club to night club looking for a good time, taxis drove those too drunk or too tired to stay out back home while just barely staying within the traffic laws, and the dark alleys always contained the lowest of criminals the city had to offer. But not tonight. Tonight everything was still as if the city knew what was about to happen within its streets. Dark storm clouds growled angrily above, ready to unleash a hellish storm upon the sleeping city and only the bravest or most foolish stay outside to face it.
'All clear on my end.'
'Clear over here. Are you sure you saw them coming here?'
'Of course I'm sure! I was checking the news on my phone and saw -'
'Stay sharp, everyone.'
A man walked down the empty street, oblivious and uncaring if any car decided to try and run him over. He walked with a purpose, light on his feet and ready to spring into action at any moment. A couple that had decided to enjoy each other’s company against the walls of a local bar stared at him as he passed. It wasn't how he was dressed for he wore a simple, fitting green t-shirt, rough brown slacks and combat boots. No, the couple was staring at the sword at his side and large coffin shaped shield that was strapped to his left arm. The man's eyes locked onto them, causing the couple to disjoint from each other and back away. His eyes glowed, literally glowed in the dark, brilliant silver. The man sighed and resumed his search. The world didn't always look like this. It wasn't filled with loud, cramped cities, steel wagons that required no horses, or insane flying contraptions. The land was much richer...more alive back then. But that was before-
The clouds above roared, turning night into day as lightning crackled. Underneath the growling thunder, however, could be heard another roar. This one more animal, fiercer. The man looked up as lightning crashed again, illuminating the shape of what looked to be five very large birds. The man knew better though. The creatures from the past hadn't quietly vanished as people believed. No, they still roamed, and they still hunted. The creatures circled the city once before, with another loud roar, they descended into the streets. Two barreled straight towards the couple, who were now marveling at these exotic creatures.
'Contact! We have two...correction three coming down right on top of us.' A female voice drifted through his head, 'Li Mei and I can handle these.'
'Are you sure about that? I've got two here.' The man thought calmly, projecting his thoughts to the others. The creatures drew closer and now they could be seen for what they really were. They were large lizards, much like the dragons people would see on those...video whatever they were called. Only the man knew these were not dragons, no. They were a smaller cousin, actually. The lizards had two strong back legs and where their front legs would be were instead enormous leathery wings, which were tucked against the bodies as the creatures dived.
'Please. Wyverns aren't even a problem for Maylin and me. Can you handle two?' A different female spoke this time. The man was going to reply when the woman screamed loudly; clutching the man she was with for safety.
The man cursed to himself, 'I've got two humans to take care of. Get here when you can,' he thought rapidly as, with a smooth and easy motion, he drew the sword at his side and raced to protect the couple, "Get further in the alley!" The couple quickly complied, "What are those things?"
The man smiled and chuckled lightly as he took up his age old stance in front of the alleyway, "Um...Well...They're called Wyverns...Just get her to safety."
His pulse raced and time seemed to slow as the wyverns landed in the street and the rain started to fall. The creatures were too large to get into the alley and they had this strange silver eyed man to deal with if they wanted to get their prey. The couple fled, not bothering to wish the man luck or even stay and see. They just ran from the creatures that only existed in fantasy tales and nightmares. The man smiled as the wyverns growled in frustration. Good, he wanted their full attention. Rain soaked the streets and everything it touched as the creatures and warrior stared each other down, waiting for the other to strike.
The attack happened quickly. Almost too quick for a normal human to perceive. The wyverns split and attacked from the left and the right, hoping to flank the man. The right lashed out with its tail, which was tipped with a large, poisonous, barb, while the left reached out to snap up its meal. The man dived forward, avoiding the tail and bite, and rolled to his feet just as the left lashed out with its own tail. The barb bounced dangerously off his shield, not even leaving a scratch on the wooden surface. As the right spun to continue its assault, the man lashed out with his sword and sliced the creature along its nose. Thunder rolled and lightning flashed as the creature reared back and roared in pain. With another roar the wyverns assaulted the man with renewed vigor.
It was a brutal battle, but one that was already won. No matter how the wyverns attacked, the man blocked and struck back as fast as lightning. He was a blur of motion. Dodge, slash, block, parry, stab, slash. And the man was enjoying himself. A smile spread across his lips as he fought, enjoying the physical challenge of it all. Energy coursed through him, keeping him light on his feet as he leapt back and forth keeping the large lizards at bay. One of the Wyverns finally died after minutes of fighting. It roared and tried to tackle the man into a building. The man stepped to the side and, with a decisive laugh, brought his sword down onto its head and completely removed it. The body twitched once, twice, and then fell still. The other creature howled and dove over the body, knocking the man down. He narrowly avoided the barbed tail as it stabbed downward again and again, his shield keeping the razor sharp teeth away from his face. The man growled and decided to end this game, thrusting his sword up into the creature’s maw, ending its life. A normal man would be pinned under the weight of such a large creature, but he wasn't a normal man. He pushed against the creature with his legs and easily lifted it off of him.
And all was quiet again in the sleeping city.
The dead bodies slowly began to dissolve. Not decay as creatures from this age do. But it slowly dissolved as if it were made of sand, crumbling upon itself until nothing was left. The man breathed heavily, his sword dripping with blood. Blood that hissed and ate at the road wherever it landed, but left the sword untouched. He flicked the blood clean and sighed. Another thing that was forgotten when the world changed.
'Everything is clear here. How are you, Shiren?'
Shiren frowned, lost in thought as he sheathed his blade, 'I'm fine, Maylin. I'm going to get a drink...I'll reach you when I start to head back...'
'Alright...Stay safe.'
'I always do.'
He looked about the street and was disgusted with how everything had changed. It didn't matter now though, the...Town Guard...or Police or whatever they were called now would be here soon and he had to leave. They weren't meant to be seen, just keep the creatures of old away from these new cities and their weak inhabitants. Shiren shrugged and, in an instant, disappeared as reality itself seemed to warp and wrap around him.
He was now in front of a bar in a completely different city. This one was full of people living out their lives. People now relied on their insane contraptions to travel; they had forgotten how things used to be. Shiren walked inside and found a table in the corner. He enjoyed bars and pubs. They reminded him of the taverns back then. A voice caught his ear and Shiren looked to find a curly haired man sitting with two lovely women. The man's hair was tucked under a jester cap and his tattoos stuck out in the dim bar light. He had tattoos on his arms and neck. His left arm was covered in vines with a white flower on the back of his hand, his right was of the night sky though it had 3 silver claw marks on his wrist and ruby red lips on his neck. Shiren laughed to himself and ordered a drink, keeping his glowing eyes covered with a brown fedora tipped low. Puck seemed to enjoy the new times and was intent on living it to the fullest. A small man was watching Puck from across the bar. He held a pen and pad of paper in his hands and watched the Mystic with intensity. He was in for a surprise.
Shiren pulled a strange series of necklaces out from under his t-shirt, which was slashed up in a few places. First, and foremost, was a small chain with a series of rings dangling from it along with a thin metal bangle. The next was an amber heart with flower petals inside. After that was a beaded necklace, a string of jade, turquoise, wood and bone. And last was a small, handmade necklace with a pendant on it. 'Live Life to the Fullest' was all it said. Shiren smiled and tried to stop tears from coming to his eyes. Everything he knew and loved was gone now. Sasha had gone with Chev to Fae...Aidyn, Rynn, and Sita were off trying to stop the further murder of Mother Tyrra...Moriken was mostly gone...killed or left after the world started to change...He rarely saw those that were still alive or ascended...
His drink came and he accepted it with a smile, pulling out a few gold coins to hand the lady. She stared at him until Shiren realized his error and muttered, "Tyrra damn it..." pulling out the new form of currency that was preferred. The barmaid left him alone with his thoughts and his drink.
Everyone wanted to change with the times. Shiren didn't. The world was too different for him. He didn't understand guns and cars and all these other insane things that the humans of today created. Things that used to only exist in Beronis. He was a fighter...he wanted and liked it back when everything was simple. He knew swords and knives and axes...not these new things people called weapons. He didn't understand "the internet" or "texting.” It was more confusing to him than magic. Shiren sighed as he held his necklaces, the last pieces keeping him tied to those he cares about, and drank deeply.
The world used to be much different, go by a different name. Humans were far more impressive than what they were today and other, more fantastic, races roamed the land. Magic existed and being attacked by fantastic creatures was the normal. You had to be quick and intelligent to survive. That was until the war though...
Until the world he knew, loved, and died for fell apart at the seams.